The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan is planning several events to raise awareness and funds throughout April in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Child Abuse Prevention and Outreach Supervisor Allie Kibler-Campbell tells us throughout April you may also notice blue pinwheels on display around the county in recognition of the cause.
“The pinwheel represents the happy childhood that all children deserve, and that is the national symbol for Child Abuse Prevention Month, the blue pinwheel,” Kibler-Campbell said. “Yes, the color blue is also part of that.”
Activities throughout April start with National “Wear Blue Day” on April 10, followed by a Fraternal Order of Police fundraiser on the 11th, and then “Darkness to Light” training provided by the CAC at Berrien RESA on April 13.
“That’s our Stewards of Children training, which is specifically a child sexual abuse prevention and awareness training for adults who work with youth or have kids in their their lives.”
Kibler-Campbell says the CAC will also team up with the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library in St. Joseph throughout the month.
“We’ll be doing two trainings there throughout the month. One is going to be about digital safety and grooming that can happen online. So this is for caregivers of kids to know how to keep their kids safe in the digital world.”
That will be April 15, followed by training on human trafficking on April 29. The CAC will also hold an open house on April 23 and a Euchre Tournament fundraiser at Watermark Brewing Company on the 26th.
Watch the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan Facebook page for registration information on all these events.
Kibler-Campbell also notes they’ll have a blue pinwheel garden at the advocacy center office in St. Joseph.
Schedule of events in April:
4/10 – National “Wear Blue Day” to show support and raise awareness for the Prevention of Child Abuse
4/11 – Fraternal Order of Police fundraiser for the CAC (FOP members only)
4/13 – Darkness to Light Training provided by CAC @ Berrien RESA 8:30am – 11:30am (2.5 SCECHs/CEs) – FREE
4/15 – Training for caregivers by CAC on Digital Safety & Grooming @ St. Joseph Library 6pm – 7:30pm – FREE
4/23 – Open House @ the CAC 8am – 10am & 4pm – 6pm – FREE
4/26 – Battle of the Bowers (Euchre Tournament) fundraiser @ Solarium by Watermark 12pm – 4pm
4/29 – Training by CAC on Human Trafficking & Grooming @ St. Joseph Library 6pm – 7:30pm
